The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-03-25
miscellaneous.
ONLY A HUSk.

to be veIy hard one. Although naturally
kind hearted, active and intelligent, he lack
ed strength OF will to resist temptation, and
had therefore fallen II victim to intemper-
ance. He had losl his place as foreman OF
the great machine shop, and what money he
now earned came from odd jobs of tinkcring
which he was able To do here and there at
private houses for Tom was genius as well
as amechaniC, aud when his head was steady
enough, he could mend clock or clean a
watch as well as he could set up and regu-
late steam engine, and this latter he could
do better than any other man ever employed
by the Scott Falls Manufacturing Company.
One day Tom was engaged to mend II bro
ken moving machine and reaper, for which
he received five dollars; and on the follow
ing morning he started for his old haunt,
the village tavern. He knew that his wife
sadly needed the money, and that his two
little children were absolutely suffering for
want of clothing, and that morning he held q
debate with the better part of himself but
the better Fart had become weak, and the de-
mon of appetite carried the day.
So away to the tavern Tom went, where
for two or three hours, he felt the exhlara-
ting effects of the alcoholic draught, and
fanccd himself happy, as he could sing and
laugh but as usual, stuDefaction followed,
and the man died out. He drank while he
could stand, and then lay down in a corner,
where his companions left him.
1t was almost midnight, when the land
lords wife came to the bar-room to see what
kept her husband up, and she quickly saw
Tom.
Peter" said she, not in pleasant mood,
"why don't you send that miserable Tom
Darcy home? He's been hanging around
here long enough"
Toms stupetaction was not sound sleep.
The dead came had left his brain, and the
calling of his name stung his senses to keen
attention. He had an insane love of rum,
but he did not love the landlord. In other
years, Peter Tindar and himself had wooed
the same maden-Ellen Goss,-and he had
won her, leaving Peter to take up with the
sharp.tempered damsel who had brought
him the tavern, and Tom knew that lately
the tapster had gloated over the misery of the
woman who had once discarded him.
"Why don't you send him home" de-
mandtd Mrs. Tindar, with an impatient
stamp of her foot.
"Hush, Betsey, he's got money. Let him
be and he'll be sure to spend it before he goes
home. III have the kernel of that nut and
his wife may have the husk."
Betsey turned away and shortly atterward
Tom Darcy lifted himself up on his elbow.
"Ah, Tom, are you awaken"
eyes"
"Then rouse up and have warm glass"
Tom got upon his feet and steadled him
self
mo; l won't drink any more tonight"
at won't hurt you, Tom, just one glass"
81 know it won't p said Tom, buttoning up
his coat by the solitary button left, 81 know
it won'tW
And with this he went out into the chill
air of midnight When he got away from
the shadow of the tavern, he stopped and
looked up at the stars, and then he looked
down upon the earth.
"Ay," he muttered, grinding his heel in
the gravel, peter Tindar is taking the kerr
mel and leaving poor Ellen the worthless
husk,-a husk more than worthless and
am helping him TO do it. | am robbing my
wife of joy, robbing my dear children of
honor and comfort, and robblng myself of
love and life-just that Peter Tindar may
have the kernel, aud Ellen the husk Well
seep
1t was a revelation to the man. The
tavern-keeper's speech, meant not for his
ears, had come on his senses as fell the voice
the Risen One upon Saul OF Tarsus.
Gwen see |" he said, setting his foot firmly
upon the ground; and then he wendell his
way homeward.
On the following morning he said to his
wife, ELLEN, have you any coffee in the
house?"
Eyes, Tom" She did not tel him that her
sister had given it to her. She was glad to
hear him ask for coffee, instead of the old,
old cider.
81 wish you would make me a cup, good
and strong"
There was really music in Toms voice,
and the wife set about her work with u
strange flutter at her heart.
Tom drank two cups of the strong fragrant
coffee, and then went out, Invent out with a
resolute step, and walked straight to the
great mandatory, where he found Mr..
Scott in his office.
"Mr. Scott, want to learn my trade over
again"
81 mean that it's Tom Darcy come back to
the old place, asking forgiveness for the past,
and hoping to do better in the future"
Tom" cried the manufacturer, starting
forward and grasping his hand, "are you in
earnestH Is it really the old Tom?'
"It's what's left of him, sir, and we'll have
him whole and strong very soon, if you'll set
him at work"
"Work Ay, Tom, ana Dless you, too.
There is an engine to be set up and tested
to-day Come with me-"
Toms hands were weak and unsteady, but
his brain was clear, and under his skillful su-
pervision the engine was set up and tested /;
but it was not perfect. There were mistakes
which he had to correct aud it was late in
the evening when the work was complete.
"How is it now, Tom ?" asked Mr. Scott,
as he came into the testing house and found
the workmen ready TO depart.
"She's all right, sir You may give your
warrant without fear"